Articles in Category: Bath Salts

What are Bath Salts?

Bath salts have been in the news quite a bit lately, and ironically not for reasons having to do with your basin. Apparently, bath salts are the newest method of reaching an altered state of mind. In most states, these man-made substances are sold legally under names such as zoom, Mr. Nice Guy, Ivory Wave, bubbles, white dove, white lightning, cloud 9, blue magic, blue silk, route 69, Scarface, snow leopard and mystic to name a few.

However, make no mistake bath salts are incredibly hallucinogenic and were never intended to be used for bathing. In fact, the name is simply camouflage to maneuver around drug laws. Let’s be clear, these bath salts are powerful, harmful stimulants, containing large traces of amphetamine-like substances such as mephedrone and pyrovalerone. They are white in color, with a crystalline or powder texture, and generally have distinct scents similar to bleach, urine, fish, chlorine and electric circuit boards, among others. Typically, bath salts are snorted, injected and inhaled.

Snorting is the most dangerous method of using bath salts as this particular method has been linked to committing serious bodily injury and even murder upon another. These synthetic substances are often referred to as the “cocaine alternates” because they act the same as stimulants act in the brain. As a result, they are thought to be highly addictive.

Chronic use therefore impairs control over how often one would use, despite social and physical consequences, with the hallmark symptoms being denial and preoccupation with using the substance. Bath salts have also been linked delusions, chest pains, heightened paranoia, accelerated heartbeat, and increased agitation, not to mention a plethora of emergency room and hospital visits.

As a result of the emerging threat that bath salts pose several states including Michigan, New York and Kentucky have enacted or proposed the enactment of legislation to make the use and sale of bath salts illegal.

This mother was high on bath salts, as she attacked her child and a neighbor. Police tased her before handcuffing her. She suffered cardiac arrest while in custody, and troopers later learned she had an operation to put stents in her heart two days earlier.

Barbara, writes:
Hi Cindy, I am reaching out today on behalf of my son. He has been struggling with drinking for a while now, and lately things have been getting worse. Last night, I received a call from him, and he was in a broken state of mind. He had realized how his drinking has been negatively affecting his life, and the toll is has taken on him. His job,his relationships, and his life are in jeopardy as a result of alcohol. He realizes that he can no longer go on this way, and last night he took the first step of reaching out for help. As a mother I will always be there for my son to help him any way I can, so I am reaching out to you. Please help me help my son.

Cindy writes:
Barbara, first of all thank you for reaching out. For many of us, sometimes the hardest step to take is to admit that we have a problem, and to reach out for help. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and I am glad to hear that your son has already made that step. As a mother myself, I can relate to what you are going through, and understand how addiction affects the entire family. Your son said that he could not go on this way, so now is the time to get in the solution. Most people struggling with addiction from Opiates (pain medication) as well as alcohol do need a period of detoxification. This will ensure that they safely transition off of the substances. Once medically stable, your son could begin the therapeutic side of the treatment process. Here, he would begin addressing the behavior and thinking patterns that directly contribute to the substance abuse. Everyone who struggles with addiction deserves the chance to recover. We are here to help, and to make sure your son has the best chance possible for recovery.

Abigail, writes:
Cindy, I have a slightly overweight, yet insecure teenage son who is taking my doctor prescribed Adderrall without permission, as an appetite suppressant. Is this dangerous?

Cindy, writes:
Abigail, what your son is doing is a lot like playing Russian Roulette. Many factors are taken into account before prescribing a medication, including current condition and past medical history. Your son is depriving himself of these considerations and leaving himself vulnerable to a host of problems, some of which are fatal. He should stop immediately and perhaps even enter treatment.

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